Wednesday, October 18, 2006 BY DAVE HUTCHINSON / Star-Ledger Staff Defensive end/linebacker Bryan Thomas has gone from bust to boom and is positioning himself for a big payday after the season as an unrestricted free agent.After four nondescript seasons with the Jets highlighted by a dramatic weight loss and assault allegations by a former girlfriend, the former No. 1 pick seems to have found his niche in coach Eric Mangini's 3-4 scheme.In the alignment, Thomas' duties include rushing the passer, dropping back in pass coverage and giving Mangini the flexibility to line him up at several positions. With more teams playing a 3-4 defense, Thomas' ability to play that all-important position makes him a valuable commodity. He's in the final year of his contract.Last Sunday against Miami, Thomas, 6-4, 266 pounds, had a team-high 11 tackles, one quarterback hurry and was named by Mangini as the defensive player of the game. He was especially effective in the running game, repeatedly making plays on the edge. He has yet, however, to develop into the pass-rusher he was in college. "I really liked Bryan's game this week," Mangini said. "He made good plays in the running game. He did a real nice job against the tight ends and the (offensive) tackles. He just played good, solid football, playing within the scheme, being able to take advantage of his natural strength, his natural ability." This season, Thomas, drafted 22nd overall in 2002 out of Alabama-Birmingham, has 31 tackles, one sack, two pass defensed and one forced fumble."This defense and my position, I love it," Thomas said. "It allows me to do a lot of things. I'm not just going upfield. I can drop back. I can do everything. ... It's very exciting. I love coach Mangini. He requires us to know a lot of stuff, but I love this defense." Early in his career, Thomas backed up former Jets DE John Abraham and current DE Shaun Ellis. Entering this season, Thomas had 19 starts, mostly in place of an injured Abraham, but never distinguished himself. He had just 6 1/2 sacks in 61 career games."I never had the opportunity," Thomas insists. "Now, I'm having an opportunity to showcase what I'm about and that's what I'm doing. I've learned from two pretty good players. I'm just going to keep working hard every day and do my best."
It's not gonna matter. If Thomas wants a big payday from the Jets he's going to have to start creating turnovers and really pressuring the QB with more than a handful of sacks. I'm happy that he's finally turned into an average player in this 3-4 but I see no reason to keep him around at more than an average player's salary.
Have to agree. I was shocked after the game when they gave those numbers. I saw him involved in many plays...but most were downfield without making a huge impact. Not trying to be overcritical. I just didnt see him as a dominant player on the field. Plus..he still owes us money after this year.
and i don't see why many teams would fork over large amounts of cash to sign him. he's been better, but his production isn't THAT good. if someone outbids us, good for them. but i'd like to seem him stay in this system because, if anything, he provides quality depth. if he does stay for a reasonable contract, i think he'll be competing with a rookie for a starting spot next year, which is why Tannenbaum won't offer him a large contract. cheers
Weird article. I don't think Bryan Thomas has been this good at all. He's been pretty good, which makes him seem great since nearly everyone else on defense has been bad. I wouldn't mind to see him leave in the offseason. He really isn't a great fit for the 3-4.
another good BT article: http://www.forbes.com/business/healthcare/feeds/ap/2006/10/20/ap3108005.html Thomas Finally Emerging As Jets Standout By DENNIS WASZAK Jr. , 10.20.2006, 12:20 PM Bryan Thomas has heard it all during his four-plus seasons with the New York Jets. He has been called an underachiever, a career backup and, even worse, a first-round bust. "In the beginning of my career, I struggled a lot and there was a lot that I didn't know," Thomas said. Things certainly have changed. During a season in which some players have struggled to adjust to new coach Eric Mangini's switch from a 4-3 to 3-4 defensive scheme, Thomas has looked right at home playing defensive end and linebacker. "It makes you feel good because the guy works hard and he puts everything into it," linebacker Eric Barton said. "And it's good to see he's getting the results that he wants and is working so hard for." Thomas is fourth on the team with 37 total tackles, including 11 last Sunday against Miami, and has been one of the few Jets who have been consistently effective against the run. "It helped me along to study behind some good players," Thomas said. "If I was just thrown out there without knowing anything, you all would be criticizing me worse than you did in the past." Drafted in the first round out of UAB with the 22nd overall pick in 2002 and considered a reach by some, Thomas came to the Jets with impressive credentials. He set the school and Conference USA career records with 35 sacks, and was expected to bring some punch to New York's defensive line. Instead, he was stuck on the depth chart behind John Abraham and Shaun Ellis - and didn't show enough when he did get playing time to erase any of the doubts that started creeping in. "My previous years when I was backing up John and Shaun, I felt like I wanted to contribute," said Thomas, who has 7 1/2 career sacks. "I mean, everybody wants to contribute, but I felt then that I was going to wait until my opportunity came. Around those times, I didn't ever give up. I just continued to practice and listen to them and take things from them, and I was going to apply that when I got my chance." He sure is doing that now. With Abraham gone, Thomas has started all six games - five at defensive end and one at linebacker - this year after making 19 starts in four seasons. He has led the team in tackles in each of the last two games, clearly adjusting to his new role. "I think there are still some things I have to work out technique-wise," Thomas said. "I feel like, as time goes on, my position coach and coordinators are helping out and getting me more accustomed to the position." Mangini praised Thomas after his performance against the Dolphins, considered by some to be the best all-around game of his NFL career. "He made good plays in the running game, he did a real nice job against the tight ends and the tackles," Mangini said. "He played just good, solid football, playing within the scheme, being able to take advantage of his natural strength and his natural ability. He was a big part of a lot of very important plays in the game." That's the sort of impact Thomas was expected to make all along. "It's just preparation and just trying to work harder every day and practice hard," he said. Sounds simple enough, but there's more to it. In addition to getting more opportunities on the field, the 6-foot-4, 266-pound Thomas attributes his emergence to an improved workout and diet routine. "Right now, I'm in really good shape," said Thomas, whose weight often fluctuated in his first few seasons. "Training camp helped me out because we really practiced and conditioned ourselves. I feel a lot better now. I have a lot of energy." His teammates also have noticed the improvement in Thomas' performance - whether it's in a 3-4 or a 4-3, or playing linebacker or defensive end. "He's so athletic, he can probably play in any scheme," Barton said. "He took it upon himself this year to hold his expectations higher of himself, and he's meeting them. It's great to be around and great to see."
I'm glad he is doing well, but nobody is going to give him a big payday. He is at best slightly above average at his position, and he hasn't been consistant at any point in his career.
I have been a supporter of BT in the past but I don't think he's played good at all. Our run defense has been piss-poor and we have ZERO passrush. So if BT was doing his job we'd have atleast some form of those things correct? I think the only players playing well on this defense right now are Kerry Rhodes and Andre Dyson.
Let me translate for BT: During Herm's camps, the Jets didn't really practice or condition themselves. TBTF
So now he's Getting Kudos because he had a Good week? R U Kiddin me? A 1st rd Pick should be an Impact player at his position. Like the previous posters said, Average. That Does not get get you a big payday. Also, Think about it. Even if he is playing well how many other teams will play him at the Hybrid position? Maybe New England? IOW. In a regular Defense He's a Bust. In this defense , He's avg.+. Don't get me wrong, I hope he becomes a terror. Right now, we need one on D badly!
I wouldn't go as far as "BOOM" He is a pleasant surprise and we're happy with his play for the most part, but "BOOM" is by far the last word i'd use for his play... More like solid, which doesn't merit a big contract.
auto insurance question my son, a 19 yr old driver on my insurance was in an accident & totalled the truck. our insurance co. won't reinsure him what are the negatives of going to another company & getting a policy from them without telling them about the accident claim since he wasn't charged with anything by police? thanks in advance
That's why I never got excited over "breakout" season. He just looks/plays sluggish, and he's boring. Not boring like Wilfork, who while he looks boring, he does his job almost like nobody else, but boring like...He sucks. I didn't like the contract then, and I don't like it now...Happy to have Gholston.
